S ome people think money in and of itself is evil. Like the members and leadership of Common Cause. The group wants to remove “special interest” money from politics. The most recent example is the local affiliate?s call earlier this week for Maryland politicians to reject money from pro- and anti- slots groups politicking on behalf of the upcoming November referendum on the issue.
It?s a little too late for that as both sides have been campaigning for months.
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And besides, money is speech. That is what the Supreme Court ruled in Buckley v. Valeo in 1976, and what common sense says, and what the Constitution protects via the First Amendment.
The Buckley ruling OK?d restrictions on campaign contributions because of what it called an overwhelming government interest to do so. But removing money from politics would egregiously violate our right ? and duty ? as Americans to speak our minds and to organize in groups to seek changes to problems.
Common Cause should know that. The group needs money to advocate its desire to eliminate money from politics.
The better solution would be to eliminate restrictions on donations, including the one scheduled to take effect Sunday to require an individual or organization spending more than $10,000 on any side of the slots debate to tell the state Board of Elections within seven days. In place of restrictions, the state should instead require candidates and all other campaign organizations to, upon receipt, post at the state Board of Elections Web site all contributions and the name and contact information of the contributor. If an organization contributes, the name of a contact person should be included.
That would increase transparency, which should be the goal of the election process ? unless the government?s desire is to protect incumbents and the wealthy who benefit from financial restrictions their challengers face. For example, think about how much challengers must spend on advertising to win even a fraction of the name recognition of a Sarbanes or a Mikulski or a Kennedy. They receive free press coverage in their positions. Statistics show that close races generate higher voter turnout, so more money could help rather than hurt our democracy.
Real-time posting would also make it easier to track donations and hold officials accountable for legislation postelection.
No, money is not evil, only the love of it. Advocacy is not evil, only deception in doing it.
Advocating what you believe should never be a crime ? only disguising the financial source making it possible.
